Crushed Stone vs Topsoil: Size, Cost, and Which to Use

Crushed Stone

Crushed stone is rock that a quarry blasted, crushed, and screened into a set size range. It costs $20 to $40 per ton in 2026, weighs 1.35 to 1.55 tons per cubic yard, and is the base under nearly every road, driveway, slab, and patio in the country. The important difference from "gravel" in the natural sense is shape: crushed stone is angular, so the pieces lock together, while natural river gravel is rounded and rolls. Almost everything sold as gravel at a quarry is crushed stone.

Topsoil

Nutrient-rich upper layer of soil, ideal for establishing lawns, gardens, and planting beds. Quality topsoil is dark, crumbly, and full of organic matter that supports plant growth. Screened topsoil has been filtered to remove rocks, roots, and debris.

Crushed Stone

• ✓ Driveways
• ✓ Road base
• ✓ Concrete mix
• ✓ Drainage
• ✓ Paver base
• ✓ Backfill

Topsoil

• ✓ Lawn seeding
• ✓ Garden beds
• ✓ Raised bed fill
• ✓ Landscape grading
• ✓ Sod installation
• ✓ Tree and shrub planting

Crushed Stone

• + Angular pieces interlock and carry weight
• + Cheapest bulk material at $20 to $40 per ton
• + A size for every job, from dust to 4-inch rock
• + Stocked at every quarry
• + Drains (clean) or packs (minus), your choice

• − Sharp edges, hard on bare feet and tires in big sizes
• − Plain gray look
• − Easy to order the wrong size
• − Larger sizes are hard to spread by hand

Topsoil

• + Rich in nutrients for plant growth
• + Creates ideal growing medium
• + Dark color absorbs warmth for earlier spring planting
• + Screened options are ready to use
• + Essential for any planting project

• − Settles significantly after delivery
• − Quality varies greatly between suppliers
• − Can contain weed seeds
• − Heavy when wet
• − Should never be used as structural fill

Crushed Stone

Crushed stone is sold by sieve size, from stone dust and #10 screenings (under 1/4 inch) through #8 (3/8 to 1/2 inch), #57 (3/4 to 1 inch), #4 (1 to 1.5 inches), #3 (1.5 to 2.5 inches), and #1 or #2 (2.5 to 4 inches). Every size is angular with fractured faces. Color follows the quarry: gray or blue-gray limestone, gray to pink granite, dark basalt, or tan sandstone and limestone in the South.

Topsoil

Fine, crumbly soil texture when screened. Dark brown to black color indicates high organic content. "Screened" topsoil has been run through a 3/8" or 1/2" screen to remove debris. Blended topsoil may include compost for extra nutrients.